President Barack Obama this morning called Texas Gov. Rick Perry to assure the governor there would be “no unmet needs” in the blast-ravaged Central Texas town of West. Obama promised Perry, a frequent political critic, that all resources of the federal government would be made available to aid local and state first responders and investigators.

The inferno in West (AP photo)

The president made the call from Air Force One, where he was heading to Boston for a memorial service for the victims of the bombings at Monday’s Boston Marathon.

At least five people were killed by the fire and subsequent explosion at a fertilizer factory last night in the historically Czech-Texan community about 20 miles north of Waco.

Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the president was briefed on the tragedy in West “very, very early” this morning. Earnest called reports of devastation “quite significant.”

Obama also called the mayor of West from Air Force One, but the two did not connect before the president’s arrival in Boston, Earnest added.

After the conversation, the White House released this statement:

Today our prayers go out to the people of West, Texas in the aftermath of last night’s deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant. A tight-knit community has been shaken, and good, hard-working people have lost their lives. I want to thank the first responders who worked tirelessly through the night to contain the situation and treat the wounded. My Administration, through FEMA and other agencies, is in close contact with our state and local partners on the ground to make sure there are no unmet needs as search and rescue and response operations continue. West is a town that many Texans hold near and dear to their hearts, and as residents continue to respond to this tragedy, they will have the support of the American people.

Perry has scheduled an 11:30 a.m. CDT briefing. Our colleagues in Texas will cover events on the ground in West and Austin.

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